Calculate cumulative shape length values of a feature class using the Field Calculator

Summary

Features in a geodatabase feature class have a system-generated field for SHAPE_Length. However, there is no system-generated field for the cumulative length values. Therefore, a new field must be created and a Field Calculator expression used to get the correct cumulative length values. The following is an example of a cumulative sum being applied:
 

Procedure

1. Add a new field to the attribute table.

   Note:
   The name must not contain spaces.

   1. Click the Table Options icon in the upper left hand corner of the attribute table and click Add Field
      
   2. In the Add Field dialog box, enter a name for the new field.
   3. Set the Type to Double.
      
   4. Click OK to close the dialog box. The new field is created in the attribute table.
2. Calculate the field:

   Note:
   Ignore the warning that appears and click YES to close the dialog box.

   1. Right-click the heading of the newly-created field and select Field Calculator.
   2. In the Field Calculator dialog box, select the Python parser.
   3. Check the Show Codeblock check box.
   4. Copy and paste the following codeblock into the Pre-Logic Script Code: box.

      cummulativeLength = 0
      
      def cummulativeValue(increment):
          global cummulativeLength
          cummulativeLength += increment
          return cummulativeLength

   5. Copy and paste the following code in the second box:

      cummulativeValue(!SHAPE_Length!)

      
   6. Click OK to run the calculation. The fields populated are with the accumulated values.